The full-scale war caused mass displacement of the population, including children. In many cases, minor citizens of Ukraine left the country accompanied by one of their parents, relatives or even strangers. In these conditions, the state must know where its most vulnerable citizens are, who is responsible for their escort and protection, and how legal, consular or humanitarian assistance can be provided to them. That is why the legislation of Ukraine provides for placing children who are abroad on temporary consular registration.
When accounting is mandatory
Placing children who are abroad on temporary consular registration has a clearly defined legal meaning and is regulated by the current regulatory framework. This process is regulated by Clause 57 of the Procedure for maintaining consular records of citizens of Ukraine, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 992 dated September 7, 2022. According to this document, all persons who accompany children of Ukrainian citizens abroad are obliged to apply to the diplomatic institution of Ukraine with a statement about taking the child on consular registration.
The procedure is the only legitimate form of notifying the state about the movement of the child and certifying the fact of his temporary stay outside the country.
All children who are citizens of Ukraine who have moved abroad due to the war must be registered at the relevant embassy or consulate.
Temporary consular registration is mandatory for the following categories of children:
– minor citizens of Ukraine who left with one parent without the other;
– children who crossed the state border accompanied by relatives, acquaintances or strangers;
– children who were evacuated independently, including from shelters, boarding schools, hospitals, or were relocated as part of organized groups;
– children who have left for a long period of time and do not have constant contact with both parents.
In each of these cases, consular registration is not only a formal procedure, but a legal necessity. Its purpose is to certify before a foreign jurisdiction that a child has Ukrainian citizenship and to ensure the legal interaction of the state with those who are under its protection.
When and how to apply
The law does not establish clear deadlines for appeals after the child leaves Ukraine. However, diplomatic services strongly recommend contacting the consulate or embassy immediately upon arrival at the place of permanent or long-term residence abroad.
First of all, it is necessary:
– find a Ukrainian consulate or embassy in the host country;
– find out the communication channels and the reception schedule (most institutions work by appointment or by submitting an application in electronic form);
– prepare the documents necessary for the identification of the child and confirmation of his status as a citizen of Ukraine;
– notify the diplomatic institution of the intention to submit an application for consular registration.
It is worth noting that the appeal is not limited to the territory of the consular district — if necessary, you can submit documents to any available institution of Ukraine abroad.
What documents are required to register a child
To register a child, you will need:
– child’s foreign passport (if available);
– birth certificate;
– documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship (passport of a citizen of Ukraine, ID card, certificate, etc.);
– documents of the accompanying person (passport, residence permit, certificate of temporary protection, etc.);
– a document confirming the legality of the escort (consent of the other parent, decision of the guardianship authority, notarial power of attorney, etc.);
– certificate or confirmation of entry to the host country (stamp, visa, temporary protection, refugee status).
In cases where part of the documents are missing, the diplomatic institution has the right to request additional information or clarification. At the same time, this is not a reason for refusal – such situations are resolved individually.
Why is consular registration required?
Registration of consular registration:
– confirms that the child is a citizen of Ukraine;
– records with whom she is abroad and on what grounds;
– allows the consulate to respond in case of emergency situations (disappearance of a child, medical incidents, intervention of guardianship authorities of a foreign state, etc.);
– simplifies the processing of documents – foreign passport, notarial statements, certificates, etc.;
– allows maintaining contact with the state, including the possibility of organizing the child’s return to Ukraine.
In fact, it is about the legal consolidation of supervision of a child on the territory of a foreign state by the Ukrainian consular service.
In what form can you submit an appeal?
The application can be submitted:
– in person during a visit to the consulate;
– by mail, if the consulate accepts documents in this format;
– via e-mail — provided that this is provided for by the institution’s rules;
– through online registration, if the consulate has an electronic registration system.
It is recommended to check in advance the current methods of application, as the approaches may differ depending on the country of stay and the load on the consular system.
In a situation of armed conflict, children need not only humanitarian protection, but also clearly organized legal support. The temporary consular accounting system is one of the key elements of this process. It allows Ukraine to maintain control over the legal status of its minor citizens and guarantees them the possibility of protection, even while in the territory of another state.
Accompanying persons — parents, guardians, relatives or representatives of institutions — are obliged to apply to the diplomatic institution of Ukraine in a timely manner with an application to register the child. This not only protects the interests of the child, but also allows the state to fulfill its function of protecting the rights of its citizens, regardless of the circumstances of their stay abroad.
